August 15, 2006

Lots of photographers turned out yesterday to snap Boy George as he swept the streets in performance of court-ordered public service. George snapped back with obscenities, which look nasty in writing but sound fairly good-natured in the video clip. It was, as his lawyers argued, a media circus, and it did impose a much greater degree of punishment on him that the same work imposes on someone who is ignored. After 10 minutes, George is reassigned to indoor work, as if the spectacle with the photographers had not been predictable all along. I feel sorry for him and annoyed at the authorities for subjecting him to this, but only just very slightly.

I couldn't stand Culture Club's music in 80's but I have to admit that every interview or story about this guy is fascinating. I have no doubt that a throng of reporters following him around asking questions during his community service was a total hoot for an attention-seeker like Boy George.

He missed a chance to gain some public affection back. If he'd clowned with his broom, smiled about being out there, made an earnest speech about paying his debt to society - ANYTHING positive would have played well.

I'm quite irked at the authorities for putting him outside... We no longer have a system of humiliation, placing criminals in the stocks for the amusement and jeering of passersby. This was not fair to George.